He was head of the CNAIC for 33 years, before ceding the post to Jeffrey two years ago. (Jeffrey beat out food tycoon Kao Chin-yen of the President Group for the job.) Chen-fu is also chairman of the Straits Exchange Foundation, the semi-official organization that handles cross-strait negotiations.

CNN: TYCOONS

However, the representative of Taiwan, Koo Chen-fu, says he will not discuss cross-strait issues.

CNN: APEC Shortens Its Horizon

Koo Chen-fu, who, like Mr Tang, is respected in Beijing, stays on as the chief negotiator.

ECONOMIST: Chen warms up the Chinese motherland